Expanded VA clinic coming to Acadiana

Over four years ago, military veterans of southwest Louisiana formed the Veterans Action Coalition to work for an expanded clinic for Lafayette. Our clinic had been approved, but due to a typographical error, the contract was voided. We then saw years of bureaucratic bungling, budget confusion and endless delays.

Meanwhile, with more veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and local vets aging, medical needs became more critical. Our local clinic has limited facilities, and area veterans must make long trips to Alexandria and Houston for treatment. This is tough for a seriously injured or ill or 90-year-old veteran.

We veterans have been fortunate to have the full support of U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany and also Sens. David Vitter and Mary Landrieu. After much work, Congress recently passed a bill providing funds for enlarged clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. This is just the beginning — it could take months to bid and build the buildings. Many of our aging vets will die before extended medical care is available. There are over 30,000 veterans in southwest Louisiana.

Shortly after its passage, President Obama signed the appropriations bill into law. This support has been a long time in coming, as he has shown little concern over Veterans Affairs in the past. On his watch, many Veterans have died without receiving medical attention, and our Veterans’ Administration has been a national disgrace.

Now that the bill has become law, a revitalized Veterans’ Administration could quickly provide southwest Louisiana veterans the medical help they deserve and badly need.